Federal Judge Clears Trump’s Mail-In Voting Rule—What It Means for Midterms

A federal judge has removed the last legal barrier to a Trump-era executive order on mail-in voting, allowing new restrictions to take effect ahead of the midterm elections. The rule requires election officials to share voter information with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and use ballot envelopes that carry unique barcodes and have been reviewed by federal authorities. Supporters say the measure helps track ballots and reduce fraud. Critics argue it adds unnecessary hurdles for voters and could delay or discard legitimate mail-in ballots. The judge’s decision lifts a previous block, meaning states must now comply with the federal standards. Election offices are expected to update their mailing systems and ballot printing processes before November. No further court appeals are pending, so the rule stands for now. Officials urge voters to request and return mail-in ballots early to avoid any processing delays.